(Newser)
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The Lakers were trailing by 13 points going into the fourth quarter against the Kings when Kobe turned it on and the Lakers cashed in for a 36-18 run. Half of Bryant's 34 points came in that surge, and the result was a 117-105 win that recalled the teams' rivalry of old, the Los Angeles Times reports. Meanwhile, in Portland:

The Suns started out strong against the Blazers, getting three-pointers from the bench and building up a 42-24 lead. "Now, can we extend that for 48 minutes?" wondered coach Mike D'Antoni as Portland made serious attempts at a comeback in the second half before a relieved Phoenix locked up a 97-92 win.